The Cat of Bubastes

Author: G. A. Henty

Book Report by: Tim Cox

The Cat of Bubastes is a tale of ancient Egypt, set in the time of Thotmas III., one of the greatest of the Egyptian monarchs, and with the assumption that the Israelites were still in Egypt. It is another one of G. A. Henty’s splendid tales about fictional boy heroes set in historical settings. This particular story concerns a young prince of the Rebu people, one of Egypt’s neighboring nations, whose name was Amuba. The Rebu were a blond haired, blue eyed people who had fairer skin than the darker Egyptians. The Cat of Bubastes is the story of how the Rebu people were defeated and brought into subjection by the Egyptians, and how the young prince of the Rebu was taken as a captive with his chariot driver to the land of Egypt. The book is in many ways a massive encyclopedia article with the addition of plot and character development.

The story begins with the men of the Rebu nation preparing to meet the Egyptians in battle. The Egyptians had undertaken a massive campaign and had conquered many cities and nations and taken many captives. The book comes in at the time when the Egyptians were marching towards the land of the Rebu to bring them under their rule. After a hard-fought battle (in which the king of the Rebu was killed) and the siege of the city, the Rebu surrendered to the Egyptians who then picked captives to be taken back to Egypt.  Those left behind were forced to pay tribute to the Egyptians as their conquered subjects. Among those picked as captives were Amuba, the young Rebu prince, and his chariot driver named Jethro.

When the Egyptian army returned to Egypt, Amuba and Jethro became slaves to the high priest of one of the Egyptian gods. Amuba became the personal attendant of the high priests son, Chebron; and they became more like friends than like master and slave and did many activities together. Once Ameres, Chebron’s father, had to go on a business trip to lower Egypt and took Chebron, Amuba and Jethro with him at Chebron’s request. While they were there, Amuba and Jethro discover much about the nature of hunting and fishing in Egypt, which was very interesting indeed. They also saved a young Jewish girl named Ruth from a crocodile, who later became a companion and friend to Chebron’s sister, Mysa.

In ancient Egypt there was a large city named Bubastes. Here the Cat of Bubastes was honored and worshipped by the Egyptians above all other cats. One day the Cat died and there went out a search to find another cat that met the requirements to fill its place. The cat that ended up being chosen was Mysa’s cat named Paucis, which was the highest honor a cat or its owner could ever receive. But before the time came for Paucis to be taken to Bubastes, an event occurred that changed their lives forever. One day, Chebron noticed that some of their pets were missing, so he and Amuba decided to find out what it was and kill it. But in the process of them attempting to kill the predator (which was a hawk), one of their arrows strayed and killed Paucis, the chosen Cat of Bubastes.

Now, to the Egyptians a cat was sacred, especially if it was the Cat of Bubastes, and the punishment for killing any cat was immediate death. Even though Chebron and Amuba attempted to hide the cat by burying it, the people still found out about its death and who its killers were and became enraged. But before the mob came looking for him, Chebron was able to escape and hide with Amuba and Jethro, although sadly in all the commotion and strife, Chebron’s father was killed and Chebron’s sister Mysa, was kidnapped. Later, Chebron and Amuba came close to being captured but fortunately crossed paths with one of the prince of Egypt named Moses, who helped them in their need. Eventually, Chebron, Amuba, and Jethro were able to rescue Mysa and the young Jewish girl, Ruth, and escape from Egypt.

After a number of frightening and not-as-frightening events, they reached their destination: Amuba and Jethro’s country, the land of the Rebu. The only obstacle they faced was the Egyptian force occupying and controlling the land. The Egyptians would have to be driven out if Amuba was going to be king over his people. After much planning and action, the Egyptians were successfully defeated and driven out of the land and Amuba was crowned King of the Rebu. Amuba made many changes in the land when he became king, but the most profound change was slowly introducing his people to the One True God who ruled over the world. He told them his convictions and encouraged them to worship the One God only. For Ruth had told Amuba, Jethro, Chebron, and Mysa about the One true God so they stopped worshipping the false gods and worshipped Him only.  Amuba married Mysa, and Chebron married Ruth and became Amuba’s chief advisor. Amuba made Jethro the general-in-chief of the Rebu people. And so they lived till the end of their days.

I really enjoyed this story because of all the information it provides about life in ancient Egypt, the nature of hunting and fishing in Egypt, how the people of Egypt buried and mourned their dead, as well as many other fascinating facts. I like how Henty merges history and facts with fictional characters and an exciting storyline and makes you want to read it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Henty books, historical-fiction or history in general. Because this story is set in ancient Egypt, it includes the idol worship practiced during that time but it’s attitude toward the idol worship is that the people were ignorant of the One God who made the world. Even though Amuba becomes converted to the One true God, the only disclaimer is Amuba’s acceptance of idols as representing the One God. For God commands us to have no images or idols in place of Him: “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” (Ex. 20:4)                                    

The End